HISTORY was brought to life in Salisbury to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

SSAFA’s First World War Living History event filled the Close over the weekend with a variety of displays and re-enactors.

Installed as part of Salisbury Cathedral’s A New Dawn, a year-long celebration of the centenary of the end of the First World War and the changes that war brought about in British society, the SSAFA event is a key awareness-raiser for the charity.

On the West lawn a replica First World War trench, manned by re-enactors from C-Company Rolling History, gave visitors a taste of life on the frontline, with a reconstructed fire step, tunnel and field hospital.

The Larkhill Living History group, known as the Garrison Artillery Volunteers brought along an original 18 pounder cannon and costumed crew.

In the interactive display tent laid on by the Royal Corps of Signals Museum there was an opportunity to get to grips with wartime communications, including using Semaphore and Morse code.

SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity, has also organised an exhibition in Salisbury as part of the commemorations. Hearts for a Hundred Years is in the Young Gallery at Salisbury Library until June 22.

It features recreations of pin cushions known as sweethearts which were made by wounded soldiers during their recuperation for their loved ones.

Local craft groups have been involved in the charity's project to create their own interpretations of the pin cushions.